Affirmations: Are They Really Useful?

[Ross]

Hey people,

I just want to discuss something that's not so popular on this personal development page and they are affirmations and visualisations.

Are affirmations and visualisations actually useful? I think most of us are practicing affirmations and visualisations and have watched Leo's videos about them. Leo claims that affirmations and visualisations, when done daily, will change your life and more specifically your positive thoughts. But recently I have watched a video from Noah Elkrief about how affirmations (maybe visualisations) do not actually work, which obviously contradicts Leo's points. Watching these videos has rang a bell in my mind.

Noah says that these techniques don't work because the human sees evidence that they are not worthy etc, which contradicts the affirmation. I have to say I found it quite true and it can apply to any affirmation.

For example Leo's video about not caring what people think, he mentions a technique (affirmation) which is "I am totally independent of the good or bad opinions from others". Even though Leo says this will work, I really struggle to see how this will work in a justified way. The problem which I see is that even though you can say this to yourself, at the same time you (your ego) will question this affirmation because you can not find a reason not to care about other opinions. It's like saying to yourself 'Im a loser', 'Im a loser' over and over again for no justifiable reason. See what I mean (hopefully).

I myself am practicing some affirmations (particularly on humour and shyness), and I see some benefits. But I'm not sure changes are happening due to a REAL change in my positive thoughts or it's just Placebo effect.

I would like to know about if anyone else has any positive experiences with affirmations/visualisations and what your thoughts are on them.

Thanks.

[Nathalie]

@David has just posted this:

 

She also claim the same in a different context..

Beliefs are ok as entry points, they may open doors but don't stay there.. Experience it

you can be anything, just don't take it that seriously, everythings still be a game

 

[cly]

A number of years ago, I started feeling nervous, or a little fearful for my safety as I would drive to my job on a highway for about 20/25 minutes every morning and afternoon..  I just remember feeling like I was traveling so fast and that it was really dangerous compared to the calmer feeling of walking or riding a bike.  Anyway,  I started playing some Louise hay affirmations everyday, I think the disc was called overcoming fears, I forget. Anyway, I noticed the feelings I had of nervousness or being afraid, totally changing over about month and I kept it up for another month or 2 and the fear sensation dissipated. On rare occasion, I will replay the disc to refresh my strength of not feeling fearful...but it has been  years now and it's like I was repaired with the affirmations...   I believe this is helpful for many people if  taken seriously.